south fraser unitarian congregation · confront a community of broken values without the promise...

SouthFraserUnitarianCongregation

APeopleofSimplicity

SoulMattersThematicPacketMarch2017

TableofContentsANotefromtheMinister.......................................................................................................................................1WhatisSoulMatters?.............................................................................................................................................2SpiritualPractice–Simplicity.............................................................................................................................3QuestionsToLiveWith..........................................................................................................................................5Story–OneThousandIdeas,OneIdea............................................................................................................6ReadingsaboutSimplicity....................................................................................................................................8QuotesAboutSimplicity........................................................................................................................................8VideosandOnlineMaterial...............................................................................................................................11ArticlesandOnlineMaterial.............................................................................................................................12MoviesandTelevisionAboutSimplicity......................................................................................................13SongsAboutSimplicity........................................................................................................................................14BooksonSimplicity(fictionandnon-fiction)...........................................................................................14FutureThemes........................................................................................................................................................15

SFUCSoulMatters–March2017 Page1

ANotefromtheMinister

Anyintelligentfoolcanmakethingsbigger,morecomplex,andmoreviolent.Ittakesatouchofgenius—andalotofcourage—tomove

intheoppositedirection.—E.F.SchumacherCourage.It’snotyourtypicalplacetobegin.Butmaybethat’sgood.Itremindsusofwhatwealreadyknowbuttoooftenforget:thereisnothingsimpleaboutsimplicity.Indeedtotalkofsimplicityrequiringcourageremindsusthattheworkofthismonthisnotjustaboutreductionbutconfrontation.Yes,editingourToDoListsandeliminatingclutterfromourlivesispartofit,butthedeeperchallengeinvolvesrejectingourculture’svaluesandattributionsofworth.Tobeapeopleofsimplicityisnotjustaboutsayingyestosunsets,walksinthewoodsandmoredinnerswiththosewelove.It’salsoaboutsayingnotostatusandsociety’saffirmation.Andthatmostcertainlyrequiresbravery.Andnotjustbravery,buthonestytoo.It’snotjustsocietythatcelebratesstatus,stuffandoverscheduledlives;weclingtothemaswell.Thebusynessofourlivesisnotjustoverwhelming;it’salsoseductive.Overscheduledlivesdon’tjusttipusover;theytemptus.Theypromiseuspower,affirmationandproofthatweareofmoreworththantheonestandingnexttous.Thereisareasonwegoonandonabouthowbusyweare.Wearen’tjustcomplaining;we’rebragging.Tobebusyistohavemadeit.Tobeover-committedistobewantedandneeded.Nowonderwehavesuchahardtimegivingitallup.Andwhyisthisframeimportant?Whydwellonhowaddictiveandseductivethiscrazygameofchaoticlivingis?Well,becauseitremindsusthatsimplicityisnotasingle-playergame.Weforgetthis,youknow.Wemaketheworkofsimplifyingourlivesallaboutourownwill-power.Wetreatourclutteredhousesandfullcalendarslikeourproblemandchallengealone.Andthenwebeatourselvesupforbeingasmaterialistandstatus-drivenaseveryoneelse.Butthefactisnoonestandsoutsideofthestatusquobythemselves.Noonecanrejectandconfrontacommunityofbrokenvalueswithoutthepromiseandsupportofanalternativecommunitythatcelebratesadifferentequationof“worthyliving.”ThatcourageandgeniusofwhichSchumacherspeaks:it’sjustnotsomethinganyofuscanpulloffonourown.Thatmaybethemostimportantandkindestmessageofthismonth.Maywehelpeachotherrememberit.


WhatisSoulMatters?YoumaybewonderingwhatSoulMattersis.Likeothersmallgroupprograms,itscentralgoalistofostercirclesoftrustanddeeplistening.However,SoulMattersaddsfouruniquecomponents:1. ExploretheWorshipThemesinMoreDepth

SoulMattersisnota“stand-alone”program.Itisdesignedasacompanionprogramtoacongregation’sworshipexperience.CongregationsusingSoulMatterspositionitintheirsystemas“anopportunitytoexploreourcongregation’smonthlyworshipthemesinmoredepth.”

2. ExperiencetheWorshipTheme,Don'tJustTalkaboutIt.UnitarianUniversalistswanttodomorethanjustreadandtalkaboutspiritualtopics.Discussingatopicisimportant.Butthereisnothinglikeexperientiallearning.Honoringthis,SoulMattersparticipantsaregivenaspiritualexerciseeachmonthtoengagepriortotheirgroupmeeting.Forinstance,whenwewrestledwiththeconceptofgrace,smallgroupparticipantsnotonlyreadwhattheologianshavetosayaboutit,butarechallengedtofindawaytobringgrace(agiftonedoesn’texpect,earnorevendeserve)intoanotherperson’slife.

3. QuestionsToWalkWith,NotTalkThrough.

Intraditionalsmallgroups,questionsareanopportunityforthegrouptothinktogether.SoulMattersusesquestionsdifferently.Weseethemastoolsforindividualexploration.Insteadofaskingourgroupstogothroughthequestionsanddiscussionthemonebyone,SoulMattersparticipantsareaskedtoreadallthequestionsaheadoftimeandfindtheonequestionthat“hooksthem”—theonethatspeakstoandchallengesthempersonally.Participantsthenlivewith--or“walkwith”--thatquestionforacoupleweeksleadinguptothegroup,comingtotheirmeeting,notwithananswertoeachofthequestionsonthelist,butwithastoryabouthowthisoneparticularquestionleadthemtodeeper,personallearning.Thistechniqueleadsusawayfromabstractionandintellectualizingandchallengesustothinkabouthowthetopic(andquestion)applytoourdailyliving.

4. AReminderThatUUismisDistinctive,Notan“AnythingGoes,”ReligionOurmonthlythemesarenotjustinterestingtopics.RathertheyfocususonaspiritualvaluethatourUUfaithhashistoricallyhonoredandemphasized.Ateachmeeting,weareremindedthatourfaithpromotesapreferredwayforustobeintheworld.

Atthestartofeachmonth,aresourcepacketwillbemadeavailableviahardcopy,onourwebsite,andthroughtheChaliceLighter.Resourcepacketsincludearticles,poems,quotes,


questionstowrestlewith,andspiritualexercisesallrelatedtothetheme.Ofcourse,ifyouhavematerialrelatedtothetheme,you’llbeencouragedandinvitedtosubmitthemtoRev.Samayaforinclusionintothepacket.Theservicesduringthemonthwillberelatedtothethemeinsomewayshapeorform–itcouldbeassimpleasachalicelightingthatfoldsinthetheme,ortheentireservice.Attheendofthemonthwe’llholdasmallgroupdiscussioncircle,calledSoulMatters,thatwillbefacilitatedbyRev.Samaya.Ifwecontinuewiththematicministryinthe2017-2018churchyear,itishopedthattherewillbeseveralsmallgroupsthatmeet.Facilitatorsofthesesmallgroupswouldnaturallyariseoutofthosewhoattendthesmallgroupdiscussioncirclesinthepilotprogramperiod–fromFebruarytoMayin2017.PleasefeelfreetocontactRev.Samayaformoreinformation.

SpiritualPractice–Simplicity OptionA:ReconciliationTheroadtoreconciliationisfarfromsimpleandyeteachdaytherearesimplestepswecandotoreflectontheimportanceofreconciliation.Inthisclip,CecilSveinsontalksaboutthesimpleactofbraidingthehairofanotherandtheimportanceitholdsinIndigenouscommunities.http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/874537539633Afterwatchingtheclip,spendtimeeachdayasyoudoyourownhairreflectingonyourintentionfortheday.Whatteachingsdoesyourhairorhairritualhavetooffer?Or-Whatcanyoulearnfromyourpersonalmorningritual?

OptionB:WhenLifeWasSimple

Thisexerciseinvitesyoutochallengeyourpresentwithyourpast.Weallrememberatimewhen“lifewassimpler.”Thesearefondmemoriesbutalsocomewithasenseofmourning.Apartofuswisheswecouldreturntothefeelingofthattime,butthebiggestpartofourselves“knows”that’snotrealistic.Maybeit’stimetotakeasecondlook.Hereareyourinstructions:1. Bringthememorybacktolife:Findawaytoreturntothattimeinyourlifewhenlife

wassimplerandmorenourishing.Journalaboutit,sharethestorywithafriend,makeitapartofyourmeditativepractice.

2. Workwiththememory:Spendtimefocusingonwhatwasmostnourishingorpreciousaboutit.Figureoutwhythememoryanchorsyouorkeepscomingback.Notewhatgiftitgaveyouatthetimeandtheimpactonthatgiftbeingabsentfromyourpresentcircumstances.Again,dothisreflectiveworkusingtheformyouaremostcomfortablewith:journaling,conversationwithafriend,personalmeditation,etc.


3. Letitchallengeyou:Askyourself“Whycan’titbethiswayagain?”Playdevil’sadvocatewithyourself.Challengeyourselfjustificationsaboutwhylifejustcan’tbethatsimplenow?Askyourselfifthebarriersarereallyimmovableandpushyourselftoconsiderhowtheymightactuallybeself-imposedormoreincontrolthanyouwanttoadmit.Youmaynotbeabletoreturntothecircumstancesofthatprevioustime,butwhataboutreclaimingthefeelingandthefreedomitofferedyou.

Cometoyourgroupreadytosharewhatgoingthroughtheexercisewaslikeforyouandwhatyoulearned.OptionC:De-ClutterYourDecisionLife!Simplicityisnotjustaboutmaterialism.Formany,themostoppressiveclutterisnotthestuffpackedintoourphysicalspacebutthemillionsofdecisionswehavetomakeeachday.Psychologistshaveevengiventhisstruggleaname:“DecisionFatigue”:• http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/magazine/do-you-suffer-from-decision-

fatigue.html• http://www.businessinsider.com/decision-fatigue-and-productive-mornings-2015-4Theyseewillpowerfunctioninglikeamusclethatcangetquicklyexhausted.Toomanydecisions,theyshow,quicklyweakenourabilitytothinkclearly,andevenbekind.Spendingtoomuchwillpowerontheinconsequentialstuffendsupdamagingourabilitytoaddresstheimportantdecisionsofourlives.Forthisreason,manypeople-includingPresidentObamaandMarkZuckerberg-arenowsimplifyingtheir“decisionlife”byroutinizingbasicdailyactivities,forinstancewearingthesameoutfitsoreatingthesamebreakfastorlunch:• http://www.businessinsider.com/barack-obama-mark-zuckerberg-wear-the-same-

outfit-2015-4• http://www.becomingminimalist.com/wear-one/SoifitisgoodenoughforPresidentObama,whynotyou?YourAssignment:Simplypickadailyroutineandtakethedecisionoutofit.Foroneweekatleast,wearthesamebasicoutfitorpartofthesameoutfit,eatthesamebreakfastorpackthesamelunch.Yougetthedrift.Findsomewayofyourowntode-clutteryourdecisionlife!OptionD:RoomforWhat’sInsideYouThisexerciseisinspiredbyaquote:

Ithinkyoushouldlearn,ofcourse,andsomedaysyoumustlearnagreatdeal.Butyoushouldalsohavedayswhenyouallowwhatisalreadyinyoutoswellupinsideofyouuntilittoucheseverything.Andyoucanfeelitinsideyou.Ifyounevertaketimeouttoletthathappen,thenyoujustaccumulatefacts,andtheybegintorattlearoundinside


ofyou.Youcanmakenoisewiththem,butneverreallyfeelanythingwiththem.—ElaineKonigsburg

Thisquoteremindsusthatsimplicityisnotjustaboutpruningtheworldoutsideofus,butalsoaboutmakingspacefortheworldinsideus.Therealtragedyofbusylivesisoftennotaboutbeingoverwhelmedbyoutsidevoices,butbeingcutofffromourinnervoice.Simplicityinthissenseislessaboutclearingawaythetrivialandmoreaboutmakingroomforthedivinetospeak.Sohere’syourassignment:Maketimetolisten.Itisassimpleasthat.AsKonigsburgputsit,“allowwhatisalreadyinyoutoswellup.”Thereareamyriadofwaystomakespace:meditation,walkinginthewoods,turningofftheradioonyourwaytowork.ThegoalistohavetheexperienceofsimplifyingyourscheduleandyourlisteningenoughtofittheexperiencethatKonigsburgdescribesinherquote.Cometoyourgroupreadytoexplainhowyoupulledthatoff,andwhatyouheard.OptionE:BeforeIDie….Forsomethismaybetootrite.Forothersitmaybetootenderandclose.Buttheexerciseofreflectingonwhatyouwanttodobeforeyourdieorwhatyoumightdoifyouhadonlyonetotwoyearstoliveisacorespiritualpracticeforallreligioustraditions.Itistheultimatesimplifyingandclarifyexercise.Infact,recently,ithascaughttheimaginationofpeoplefromaroundtheworldintheformofgiantchalkboardswherepeopleareinvitedtocompletethesentence,“BeforeIdieIwantto…”• http://beforeidie.cc/site/blog/category/walls/• http://beforeidie.cc/site/about/• https://www.ted.com/talks/candy_chang_before_i_die_i_want_to?language=enYoudonotneedagiantchalkboardinstallationtoachievethesameclarifyingexperience.YourAssignment:Completethesentenceforyourself.Spendtimethinkingaboutit.Talkwithfriends.Makeitthecorequestionofyourmeditativepracticeforthemonth.Thechallengewillbetopickjustonething.Thegiftwillcomeifyouactuallycommittodoingitandlivingoutthesentencesoonerthanlater!

QuestionsToLiveWithAsalways,don’ttreatthesequestionslike“homework”oralistthatneedstobecoveredinitsentirety.Instead,simplypicktheonequestionthat“hooks”youmostandletitleadyouwhereyouneedtogo.Thegoalofthesequestionsisnottohelpyouanalyzewhatsimplicitymeansintheabstract,buttofigureoutwhatbeingapersonofsimplicitymeansforyouandyourdailyliving.So,whichquestioniscallingtoyou?Whichonecontains“yourwork”?

1. Areyoutryingtosimplifyallonyourown?Ittakesavillagetoraiseachild.Samethinggoesforasimplifiedlife.Busynessandcomplexityaretoobigforwhatforoneperson


tohandlebythemselves.Whomightbeyourteammates?Whyhaven’tyouaskedthemtohelp?

2. Whataboutyourchildren?Haveyouallowedyourchild’s/children'slife/livestobecometoocomplex?Areyouandyourhopesforthemasourceofsimplicityoraburden?

3. Areyourjudgementsaboutotherstoocomplex?Sometimesthesimplestjudgmentistoassumegoodintentions.Areyoureadingtoomuchintothings?

4. Doyousurroundyourselfwithpeopleofsimplicity?Ifnot,doyouunderstandwhy?

5. Doessimplicitymeansomethingentirelydifferentforyou?Weallrelatetoitinadifferentway.Ourneedforitdiffersfrompersontoperson.Areyoufeelingthatroomisnotbeingmadeforyourway?

6. Haveyoualreadydoneit?Allofourlivesincludeexistingsimplicitystrategies.Maybeyourchallengeistonoticewhatalreadyexistsanddoubledown.

7. Whoisdoingitright?Haveyoutoldthemyouadmirethem?Don’tassumetheydon’tneedthevalidation.

8. Whatdowishyoucouldsay“no”toinyourlife?Whyhaven’tyou?Whatwouldhappenifyoudid?

9. Hasoneofyourtreasuresbecomeaburden?Isittimetoletgo?

10. What’syourquestion?Yourquestionmaynotbelistedabove.Asalways,iftheabovequestionsdon'tincludewhatthethemeisaskingfromyou,spendthemonthlisteningtoyourdaystohearit.

Story–OneThousandIdeas,OneIdea1 Oftenwefallintothetrapofthinkingthatmoreisbetter,notonlyintermsofmaterialobjectsbutalsointermsofideas.ThisRussianfolktalesuggeststhatfocusingwithclarityonasingleplancanhaveabetterresultthantriflingwiththousandsofideas.Apeasantfarmerdecidedtosetatrapinordertocaptureananimal.Hedugalargeholealongthepathandcovereditoverwithsticksandleaves.Inthemiddleofthenight,afoxtrottedalongthepathandsteppedonthestickscoveringthehole.Hefellstraightdownintoitandwasfrantic.Thefoxpacedbackandforthandtalkedtohimselfashestrategizedanescapeplan.“I’vegotanidea!Here’sanotheridea!Oh,ormaybe,Icoulddothis?”Soitwentforawhileuntilitwasalmostdawn,andhewasinterrupted.

1 Ancient Stories for Modern Times: 50 Short Wisdom Tales for all Ages, retold by Faye Mogensen, pp. 175-77.


Acranewhohadbeengracefullystridingalongthepathhadalsosteppedonthetrapand,withacrashandathump,hadalsofallenintothehole.Naturally,thecranewasunhappy!Butshewasgladtobetallerthanthefoxandtohaveaverylongbill.Shemovedintoonecorneroftheholeandbegantopecktheground.Thefoxresumedhisfranticpacing.Backandforth,forthandbackhewent.Bynowhewasbragging,“I’vegotthousandsofideas!Thousands!”Thecranestaredforamoment,thensaid,“I’vegotonlyoneidea.”Sheresumedpeckingtheground.Nowitwasthefox’sturntostare.Hethought,“Whatastupidcrane.Onlyoneidea!Doesshethinkshecandigherwayoutoftroublebypeckingandpeckingattheground?Howridiculous!”Thesunrosehigherinthesky.Theanimalsheardthepeasantreturntothetrap.Beforehehadremovedthebrushfromabovethem,thefoxbegantoracefasterandfasterallaroundthehole.Thecranebarelymoved.Herbodyslumpeddownintotheholeshehaddug.Herheadwastwistedtoonesideofherbody,andherlegsstretchedstifflyintotheair.Shelookedasthoughshehaddiedoffright.Whenthepeasantwasabletoseedownintothehole,heroared,“Younastyfox!You’vebeeneatingmybird!”Hegrabbedthecrane’slegsandpulledheroutofthehole,scoldingthefoxallthemorewhenherealizedthebirdwasstillwarm.Thefoxcontinuedracingabout,notsurewhichofhisthousandideastoputintoaction.Whilethepeasantbusiedhimselfwithtryingtocapturethefox,thecranestooduponherverylonglegs.Sheimplementedheroneideabyspreadingherwingsandflyingofftosafety.Thefoxandhisthousandsofideasmetwithanoutcomethatwasfarlesshappy–atleastforhim.Ontheotherhand,thepeasantwaspleasedtonowhaveamuchwarmercollaronhiscoat.Forreflection:• Whenhashavingalotofideasbeenhelpfultoyou?Whenhasitbeenahindrance?• Whataresomeofyourstrategiesforcopingwhenyoufeeltrapped?• Whenhaveyouexperiencedthebenefitsoffocus?


• Whatmightcauseustoassumethatanotherperson’sactionsmakenosense,wheninfacttheydo?

ReadingsaboutSimplicity Singing the Living Tradition Reading No. 725: The Simplest of Sacraments Simply to be, and to let things be as they speak wordlessly from the mystery of what they are. Simply to say a silent yes to the hillside flowers, to the trees we walk under. To pass from one person to another a morsel of bread, an answering yes, this is the simplest, the quietest, of sacraments.

Jacob Trapp

QuotesAboutSimplicityDefinition:freedomfromcomplexity;absenceofcomplication,luxury,pretentiousness,orornamentSynonyms:plainness;clarity;modesty;restraint;ease;clearnessIheardanelderspeakoftheimportanceofourlanguagesandourculture.Hesaidthatourwordsarepowerful;ourstoriesareelastic;ourlanguagesaremusic:theydance,theymoveandtheyaremedicineforourpeople.Hesaidtheyareaspiritwithinthemselvesandweareonlythechannelthatbringsthemtolife.IwritebecauseIknowwhathesaidistrue.NicolaI.Campbell,children’sauthorMyHeartSoarsThebeautyofthetrees,thesoftnessoftheair,thefragranceofthegrass,speakstome.Thesummitofthemountain,thethunderofthesky,therhythmofthesea,speakstome.Thefaintnessofthestars,thefreshnessofthemorning,thedewdropontheflower,


speakstome.Thestrengthoffire,thetasteofsalmon,thetrailofthesun,Andthelifethatnevergoesaway,Theyspeaktome.Andmyheartsoars-ChiefDanGeorgeAnyintelligentfoolcanmakethingsbigger,morecomplex,andmoreviolent.Ittakesatouchofgenius—andalotofcourage—tomoveintheoppositedirection.—E.F.SchumacherSimplethingsarealwaysthemostdifficult.Inactuallifeitrequiresthegreatestarttobesimple,andsoacceptanceofone'sselfistheessenceofthemoralproblemandtheacidtestonone'swholeoutlookonlife.—CarlJungOurlivesareoftenfilledwithamillionthingstodoandconsumethatdistractusfromsimpleliving.WhenIpayattentionandbecomemindful,ImarvelatthesimplethingsinlifethatIoncepassedover.Consuminglessandlivingsimplyarethetrueconditionsofhappiness.—BarbaraAnnKipferin201LittleBuddhistRemindersIdobelieveinsimplicity.Itisastonishingaswellassad,howmanytrivialaffairseventhewisestthinkshemustattendtoinaday;howsingularanaffairhethinkshemustomit.Whenthemathematicianwouldsolveadifficultproblem,hefirstfreestheequationofallincumbrances,andreducesittoitssimplestterms.Sosimplifytheproblemoflife,distinguishthenecessaryandthereal.Probetheearthtoseewhereyourmainrootsrun.—HenryDavidThoreauSimplicitymeansnotonlylettinggoofattachmentstomaterialgoods,butalsotobeliefsandjudgmentsaboutothers,andofhowIthinktheworldshouldbe.—BradOgilie2Itiseasytobeheavy;hardtobelight.—G.K.ChestertonSimplicityboilsdowntotwosteps:Identifytheessential.Eliminatetherest.—LeoBabautaAdooropensinthecenterofourbeingandweseemtofallthroughitintoimmensedepthswhich,althoughtheyareinfinite,areallaccessibletous;alleternityseemstohavebecomeoursinthisoneplacidandbreathlesscontact.Godtouchesuswithatouchthatisemptinessandemptiesus.Godmovesuswithasimplicitythatsimplifiesus.—ThomasMerton 2 http://williampennhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/paradox-of-simplicity.html


Simplicityisaboutsubtractingtheobvious,andaddingthemeaningful.—JohnMaedaIfindmythoughts,increasingly,notonthesupernaturalorspiritual,butonwhatismeantbylivingagoodandworthwhilelife—achievingasenseofpeacewithinoneself,IfindmythoughtsdriftingtotheSabbath,thedayofrest,theseventhdayoftheweek,theseventhdayofone'slifeaswell,whenonecanfeelthatone'sworkisdone,andonemay,ingoodconscience,rest.—OliverSacksOurlifeisfritteredawaybydetail.Anhonestmanhashardlyneedtocountmorethanhistenfingers,orinextremecaseshemayaddhistentoes,andlumptherest.Simplicity,simplicity,simplicity!Isay,letyouraffairsbeastwoorthree,andnotahundredorathousand;insteadofamillioncounthalfadozen,andkeepyouraccountsonyourthumbnail.Inthemidstofthischoppingseaofcivilizedlife,sucharethecloudsandstormsandquicksandsandthousand-and-oneitemstobeallowedfor,thatamanhastolive,ifhewouldnotfounderandgotothebottomandnotmakehisportatall,bydeadreckoning,andhemustbeagreatcalculatorindeedwhosucceeds.Simplify,simplify.—HenryDavidThoreauIhavejustthreethingstoteach:simplicity,patience,compassion.Thesethreeareyourgreatesttreasures.Simpleinactionsandinthoughts,youreturntothesourceofbeing.Patientwithbothfriendsandenemies,youaccordwiththewaythingsare.Compassionatetowardyourself,youreconcileallbeingsintheworld.—Lao-TzufromCredoIamnotinlovewithholidays,birthdays—nothingspecial—andweekendsarejustdaysnumberedsixandseven,thoughmylovedozingoverTVgolfwhileIworktheSundaypuzzlemightbeallIneedoflifeandallIaskofheaven.—DonnaHilbert3AQuietLifeWhatapersondesiresinlifeisaproperlyboiledegg.Thisisn’taseasyasitseems.Theremustbegasandastove,thegasrequirespipelines,mastodondrills,banksthatdispensethelozengeofcapital. 3 fullpoemhere:http://tinyurl.com/jmasb36


Theremustbeapot,theproductofminesandfurnacesandfactories,ofdimearlymorningsandnight-owlshifts,ofwomeninkerchiefsandmenwithsweat-soakedhair.—BaronWormser4MyHeroJustasthehareiszippingacrossthefinishline,thetortoisehasstoppedonceagainbytheroadside,thistimetostickouthisneckandnibbleabitofsweetgrass,unliketheprevioustimewhenhewasdistractedbyabeehummingintheheartofawildflower.—BillyCollinsfromSabbaths1999,VII….WhatmoredidIthinkIwanted?Hereiswhathasalwaysbeen.Hereiswhatwillalwaysbe.Eveninme,theMakerofallthisreturnsinrest,eventotheslightestofHisworks,ayellowleafslowlyfalling,andispleased.—WendellBerryfullpoemhere:http://www.ayearofbeinghere.com/2015/11/wendell-berry-sabbaths-1999-vii.html

VideosandOnlineMaterial“LessStuff,MoreHappiness”(TEDTalk)WriteranddesignerGrahamHillasks:Canhavinglessstuff,inlessroom,leadtomorehappiness?Hemakesthecasefortakinguplessspace,andlaysoutthreerulesforeditingyourlife.http://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_less_stuff_more_happiness“TowardsaScienceofSimplicity”(TEDTalk)Simplicity:Weknowitwhenweseeit—butwhatisit,exactly?Inthisfunny,philosophicaltalk,GeorgeWhitesideschiselsoutananswer.http://www.ted.com/talks/george_whitesides_toward_a_science_of_simplicity 4 fullpoemhere:http://writersalmanac.org/episodes/20160209/


“TheArtofStillness”(TEDTalk)TheplacethattravelwriterPicoIyerwouldmostliketogo?Nowhere.Inacounterintuitiveandlyricalmeditation,Iyertakesalookattheincredibleinsightthatcomeswithtakingtimeforstillness.Inourworldofconstantmovementanddistraction,heteasesoutstrategiesweallcanusetotakebackafewminutesoutofeveryday,orafewdaysoutofeveryseason.It’sthetalkforanyonewhofeelsoverwhelmedbythedemandsforourworld.http://tinyurl.com/lonrc5m“RepossessingVirtue:MarieHoweonGreaterSimplicityandLauraIngallsWilder”byTrentGillisforOnBeinghttp://www.onbeing.org/blog/repossessing-virtue-marie-howe-greater-simplicity-and-laura-ingalls-wilder/4365“LivingtheQuestions:WhatisEnough?”podcastwithCarolineHowe,environmentalistandentrepreneurhttp://livingthequestions.squarespace.com/blog/2014/11/3/episode-1-what-is-enough“LivingtheQuestions:HowCanILiveMoreSimply?”podcastwithZachKerzee,aMethodistminister,bread-bakerandpart-timefarmer.He'sarecentgradofHarvardDivinitySchoolandthefounderofSimpleChurch,achurchwithoutabuildingthatmeetsfordinnereveryThursday.Hiscentralspiritualpracticeissimplicity.http://livingthequestionspodcast.libsyn.com/13-zach-kerzeeEmbodiedSimplicityhttps://www.facebook.com/morgan.burks.92/videos/10153769033350630/?fref=nf

ArticlesandOnlineMaterial“SimplicityontheOtherSideofComplexity”byParkerPalmer,includingapoembyMaryOliverhttp://www.onbeing.org/blog/simplicity-on-the-other-side-of-complexity/6482Somethingtomakeyousmilehttp://tinyurl.com/js6jvf7Peoplereflectonthequestion,Whatdoesthesimplelifemeantoyou?http://simplicitycollective.com/what-does-the-simple-life-mean-to-youWebsitewithreflectionsandresourcesonsimplelivingwww.simpleliving.orghttp://www.simpleliving.org/The7ReasonsThatScienceSaysYouShouldPayForExperience,NotThingshttp://www.fastcoexist.com/3046696/the-7-reasons-that-science-says-you-should-pay-for-experience-not-things


TheSpiritofSauntering:ThoreauontheArtofWalking“IamalarmedwhenithappensthatIhavewalkedamileintothewoodsbodily,withoutgettingthereinspirit.InmyafternoonwalkIwouldfainforgetallmymorningoccupationsandmyobligationstoSociety.ButitsometimeshappensthatIcannoteasilyshakeoffthevillage.ThethoughtofsomeworkwillruninmyheadandIamnotwheremybodyis—Iamoutofmysenses.InmywalksIwouldfainreturntomysenses.WhatbusinesshaveIinthewoods,ifIamthinkingofsomethingoutofthewoods?”https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/11/17/thoreau-walking/?mc_cid=451061292e&mc_eid=04e3c8a6e2TheEvolutionofSimplicitybyDavidBrooks“[M]anyofusareonawirelesshamsterwheel,runningfuriouslytokeeptheinboxinthesameplace.…Afterawhilethere’sanachefromallthescatteredshallowness.Soofcoursethere’samassmovementtocombatmentalharriedness,theepidemicofA.D.D.allaround.Ofcoursethere’sastruggletoregaincontrolofyourownattention,tosetprioritiesaboutwhatyouwillthinkabout,toseefewerthingsbuttoseethemmoredeeply.”http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/11/03/opinion/the-evolution-of-simplicity.html

MoviesandTelevisionAboutSimplicityIntotheWildTheengrossingtrue-lifedramaofanidealisticyoungmanwhoyearnstolivealoneintheAlaskanwilderness.http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/reviews/view/17672/into-the-wildNoImpactMan“Aboldandastonishingdocumentaryabout…aradicalidealistwillingtoputhisecologicalcommitmentstoatest.Hestartsoutwithseriousintentions,goesthroughsomeveryfunnyunintendeddevelopments,andendsupwithsomesurprisingresultsforhiswholefamilyoftheiryear-longproject.”http://tinyurl.com/gtab6fcBlackish(shortclipfromthetelevisionshow)Thedevastatingsimplicityandcomplexitywhenitcomestohopeandracialjusticehttp://tinyurl.com/j9o29u6SeekingGod:TheWayoftheMonkattheMonasteryofChristintheDeserthttp://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/search?author_first=Diane&author_last=MarronAfascinatinglookinsideacommunityofBenedictinemonks.http://tinyurl.com/z55egzn


SongsAboutSimplicity“Tis a Gift to Be Simple” (“Simple Gifts”) A song that invites humility and walking gently upon the earth as a spiritual practice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWTDgc96bg8 “Simplicity” by Bob Seger http://www.metrolyrics.com/simplicity-lyrics-bob-seger.html “Give Me the Simple Life” by Ella Fitzgerald https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub7A9mK_yX4

BooksonSimplicity(fictionandnon-fiction) Blush:AMennoniteGirlMeetsaGlitteringWorldbyShirleyShowalter“‘Ipromise:youwillbetransported,’saysBillMoyersofthismemoir.PartMennoniteinaLittleBlackDress,partGrowingUpAmish,andpartLittleHouseonthePrairie,thisbookevokesalosttime,inLancasterCounty,Pennsylvania,whenashelteredlittlegirlnamedafterShirleyTempleenteredafamilyandchurchcaughtupinthemidstoftheculturalchangesofthe1950'sand`60's.Withgentlehumorandclear-eyedaffectiontheauthor,whogrewuptobecomeacollegepresident,tellsthestoryofherfirstencounterswiththeglitteringworldandherdesireforfancyforbiddenthingsshecouldseebutnottouch.http://www.amazon.com/Blush-Mennonite-Meets-Glittering-World/dp/0836196260TheArtofRacingintheRainbyGarthSteinAheart-wrenchingbutdeeplyfunnyandultimatelyupliftingstoryoffamily,love,loyalty,andhope,TheArtofRacingintheRainisabeautifullycraftedandcaptivatinglookatthewondersandabsurditiesofhumanlife...asonlyadogcouldtellit.http://tinyurl.com/gnz7tasEverydaySimplicity:APracticalGuidetoSpiritualGrowthbyRobertJ.WicksToooftenwelongforaspirituallife,butdismissitasimpossibleinahecticworldthathardlyallowstimetoeatandsleep,muchlesstonourishandreplenishoursouls.ButRobertJ.Wickssaysweallhavethepathtospiritualitywithinus,ifonlywewouldfollowit.http://tinyurl.com/jrf8w7nVoluntarySimplicity-TowardaWayofLifeThatIsOutwardlySimple,InwardlyRichbyDuaneElginThisisabookabout“livingwithbalance.ElginilluminatesthechangesthatanincreasingnumberofAmericansaremakingintheireverydaylives--adjustmentsinday-to-daylivingthatareanactive,positiveresponsetothecomplexdilemmasofourtime.Byembracingthetenetsofvoluntarysimplicity--frugalconsumption,ecologicalawareness,andpersonalgrowth--peoplecanchangetheirlivesand,intheprocess,saveourplanet.”http://tinyurl.com/jy7htl5


Listofbooksforchildrenandfamiliesaboutsimplicity:https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/189VKXTIH8Q1D/ref=cm_sw_su_w

FutureThemes Lookingforwardintotheyear,we’llbecoveringthefollowingthemes:• AprilisResistance• MayisCompassionInthemeantime,ifyouhaveanypoems,books,quotes,moviestosuggestonthethemeofResistancepleasesubmitthemtoRev.SamayaforMonday,March27thtobeincludedinApril’spacket.

south fraser unitarian congregation · confront a community of broken values without the promise...

Documents